Dinuba, CA — According to The Fresno Bee, 43-year-old Dinuba elementary school principal Blake Thomas Benham is now facing serious charges in connection with a suspected drunken driving crash that claimed the lives of Gloria Jaime Barajas, 55, and her daughter, 35-year-old Brenda Quinonez.
The charges against Benham include two counts of murder, two counts of driving under the influence causing injury with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.15%, and additional charges related to other passengers who were injured but survived the crash. These charges highlight the severity of the incident and the impact on the lives involved.
Benham, who served as the principal of Kennedy Elementary in Dinuba, was placed on administrative leave by the Dinuba Unified School District, a decision made public shortly after the incident. He was taken into custody at his home without incident on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
The fatal crash occurred on the evening of December 3, around 6:15 PM, on Road 56 just north of Avenue 430 near Reedley. According to CHP investigators, Benham was driving a Ford F-150 when he allegedly allowed the vehicle to cross the centerline into the southbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a Nissan Rogue.
Gloria Jaime Barajas, 55, and her daughter, 35-year-old Brenda Quinonez, both passengers in the Nissan Rogue, were killed in the crash. The driver, a 55-year-old man, and another passenger, a 31-year-old woman, were severely injured and rushed to Community Regional Medical Center for treatment. Although they sustained serious injuries, they survived the ordeal.
On the night of the crash, Benham was evaluated for driving under the influence, leading to suspicions that he was intoxicated at the time of the collision. He was initially released on bail following his arrest, but the recent charges have escalated the case to a potential life sentence if he is convicted.
California DUI Law
Section 23153(a) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that it is illegal for any driver to “Operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, as a result, cause bodily injury to someone else.”
Wrongful Death Claims
Whether or not a collision results in criminal charges for any of those involved, families who have lost a loved one in a fatal collision may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death claim can relieve the financial burdens created by medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of income needed to support the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies will work to reduce any claim they cannot deny. This is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney proves invaluable, negotiating on behalf of victims and their families to ensure they receive proper compensation.
